Thread by @polotek

This exchange is pretty infuriating. But it's worth reading to understand how a lot of conservative white men view the world. Please don't include me in replies to Jeff. I'm done for the day.

https://twitter.com/polotek/status/1363151323949015044

Jeff is actively deleting replies now. Seems he doesn't want people to know how he really feels about this stuff. But I do want to surface this particular exchange he had with @karlitaliliana. This is how white conservatives respond when asked to grapple with racism.

Sorry. Here's a better screenshot.

You'll notice a few things about Jeff's response.

1) He says the guy needs his "butt kicked". But how is that supposed to happen? PoC can't get away with being up white men. Karla's father would've been jailed, beaten, and possibly killed by police.

2) Jeff says that's "absolutely horrible". As though what she's describing is some unexpected anomaly. Rather than the dominant culture in this country for the vast majority of it's history.

3) Jeff compares this overt racism to some abuse he personally suffered. He effectively erases the racial aspect of it and chalks it up to "a jacked up world". I would bet money that Jeff is a "don't play the race card" person.

4) Jeff concludes with "your dad sounds amazing". Because he existed in a racist and abusive situation and survived. In Jeff's world, that's a win. He doesn't address the racism at all. Nor the physical and mental abuse. Nor the injustice. That's just "how it is".

White conservatives believe deeply that we can't have any better than this. That is the challenge we face. Short of a "magic button", they have a fervent, even fanatical belief that this is all there is. But they are the ones fighting for that to stay true.

@NCSwanson Thank you for the exchange. I appreciated you answering my questions directly so I didn't misunderstand you're intent. It's unfortunate that you're closing to delete must of it now though. Anyway, here are some of my takeaways.